My first encounter with Rhys Flint (a name that I’d forgotten actually until now), was at Uttoxeter Racecourse, while I was studying sports journalism at Staffordshire University.
We had a field trip one Thursday where we were allowed access to the parade ring and other ‘off-limit’ areas to the general public. The jockeys etc were made aware that there was a group of ‘cadets’ attending and for our coursework purposes, it would be good if they would oblige us with quotes etc.
Anyway, I managed to get a few minutes with this ‘up and coming’ jockey – he’d have been just a couple of years younger than me and had ridden a respectable race; especially for his age.
From what I remember, he definitely demonstrated the maturity of someone older than his years, came across well and was certainly very humble.
Flint’s Initially Encouraging Rise Through The Sport
Born in Brigend, Wales, Flint, like many jockeys, expressed his interest in horses first through pony racing and quickly showed an aptitude and enjoyment of the activity.
At the age of just 16, he made his mark on British racing with his first race at Bath on Uncle Max, while one year later, he experienced his first win at Bangor on Lady Myfanwy.
From this point on, he was tipped for big things and was perhaps lucky that due to being so young, he would only need to tolerate the likes’ of AP McCoy and Ruby Walsh winning everything in sight for a few more years.
Arguably Flint’s major breakthrough came, still aged 17 when he won the Horse and Hound Cup at Stratford in 2008, while he also won two Grade 2 Hurdles at Whetherby, earning praise for his tactical awareness, poise and balance at such a young age.
In April 2010, he became only the second Welsh jockey to win the Conditional Jockey’s Championship, while despite limited opportunities, he managed to secure 40 winners.
Flint found it hard to really breakthrough in the years that followed and announced his retirement in 2012 citing weight issues for this reason. However, he continued to ride until 2014 and despite breaking his leg early that year, he returned just three weeks later to win on 16/1 shot Kayf Moss in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell.
A New Chapter
In 2024 after somewhat of a hiatus, Flint joined his father John on the training licence and together with his wife Arabella runs Flint Racing, based just outside of Brigend.
This setup includes a carpet gallop and beach access at Ogmore-by-Sea, plus country park facilities at Margam.
It is a modest, very family-orientated operation which brings the family a modest income and really highlights their passion for horses – they rent out stables and schooling facilities, while also grooming horses for entry into the sport.
Their first professional runners were in March 2024 while in May of that year, the stable had its first winner with Flame of Kodiak on the Mile Handicap at Chepstow. The future looks bright for Flint and I’m sure his humility and respect for the sport will help significantly.